ACT Heritage Library Manuscript Collection
HMSS 0269 Engineering Heritage Canberra Oral History Program - Special Projects Series Queanbeyan Age Project
Scope and Content Notes
Call Number | HMSS 0269 Box 3 |
Collection | Engineering Heritage Canberra Oral History Program - Special Projects Series Queanbeyan Age Project |
Date Range | 1860-1912 |
Quantity | 0.02m (1 wallet) |
Access Conditions | open |
Copying conditions | with attribution |
Related Collections | HMSS 0269 Engineering Heritage Canberra Oral History Program HMSS 0269 ... Kingston Powerhouse Project |
The Institution of Engineers is actively engaged in documenting the history of engineering in the Australian Capital Territory.
This project is comprised of four oral history interviews recorded May-August 2012 with men associated with the Queanbeyan Age newspaper. The interviewer is Mary-Jill Bellhouse.
The collection consists of
- 6 cds of interviews
- 2 cds of photographic portraits of each interviewee taken the day of interview
- completed permission forms
- timed summaries of each interview
INTERVIEWEE | QTY OF CDS | FILE FORMAT | RUNNING TIME | ASSOCIATED DOCUMEN-TATION | DATE OF ASSOCIATION WITH THE AGE |
2 | .cda | 1:01:40 | Permission form; | 1960 | |
1 | .cda | 57:16 | Permission form; | 1965 | |
2 | .cda | 51:09 52:07 | Permission form; | 1956 (but refers to Gale’s period from 1860) | |
Kevin Hoare | 3 | .cda | 40:34 29:24 photograph | Permission form; | responsible for introduction of computer type at the Cairns Post and phasing out heavy metal and linotype machines in 1979. Volunteer at Queanbeyan Printing Museum. |
Bill Johnson
Interviewed Wednesday 23 May 2012
Time | Subject |
00:24 | Paperboy for 12 months before joining The Age in 1960 at 15 years of age Describes a typical working day as an apprentice Trained by correspondence for 12 months then attended Kingston Technical College ACT |
2:00 | As an apprentice, allowed to use the Hand Platen, a hand fed pedal machine Hands-on experience worked well until he started the Tech course Then apprenticed as a Hand Compositor Also worked the Letterpress machines The Age was a small business so gained experience doing different jobs |
3:00 | Describes the steps in producing the paper. Used Hot metal press when he first started, then the Linotype machine. Describes the Linotype Later worked on the Ludlow. Describes why this job was given to him and how the job was done Paper boys distributed finished product |
5:00 | Describes the tasks allocated to a first year apprentice Progressed to working machines & setting up & composing Describes using hot metal and type set on Linotype and compares length of time it took to set and print the paper compared with previous methods |
7:30 | Explains how the handset type worked and notes it was a laborious process |
8:30 | Details again equipment he used as an apprentice Describes the Ludlow machine and how it worked |
9:40 | New offset machine purchased in 1970 Describes how the three News King units worked and how the paper was assembled for printing, including photos Describes the camera used and outlines the process for printing photos Helped with the paste up, photographing, plates and printing |
14:00 | One wage dispute led to a strike and Jim Woods got the paper out on Another stop work meeting called in response to introduction of Bundy clocks Time cards made Bill’s job easier for invoicing purposes for commercial work |
17:00 | Describes progression of equipment which provided greater flexibility for larger jobs and the introduction of colour |
21:00 | Jim Woods’ membership of Country Press allowed him to keep up with changes and progress in the industry and the Age followed |
22:30 | Discusses the move to computerised equipment, how jobs changed and how this changed the whole way of producing the paper Unions intervened when staff multi-tasking Some staff successfully adapted and learnt new skills, others did not Took about ten years to settle in properly |
25:50 | Canberra Times owned one third of The Age so some camaraderie between staff and Canberra Times Engineers assisted with introduction of computerised equipment |
32:00 | Tells stories about mishaps with equipment including fire hazards Recounts the circumstances in 1972-3 of the scoop when a Mirage jet crash near Queanbeyan Mishaps less of a problem because the paper was regional |
34:30 | Disscusses how The Age assisted other regional papers owned by Jim Woods Tells story of the old Wharfedale press being operated in the Monaro shopping mall in Canberra and then being sent to Bega |
36:00 | Recounts a few stories that caused some controversy when printed Describes how the editor decided where each story appeared in the paper, the use of fillers and how the content was trimmed or expanded to fit Stories also covered personal news, about football and horse racing |
38:50 | Talks about his colleagues, especially those who mentored him Some interesting stories about various apprentices he worked with |
41:00 | He had offers of other work but preferred to stay with The Age because of the family style of business and close to home Jim Woods was the owner/manager, but always reasonable, one of the team |
43:50 | Jim Woods assisted with renting a Decentralisation home, then assisted with the purchase of his own home Talks about how this style of management was unusual, but worked well |
45:00 | Equipment was regularly upgraded which made a difference to the success of the business and its circulation and the business as a Prior to Offset, the business was limited in what it could produce Following the introduction of Offset, circulation increased and the paper moved to tri-weekly production The introduction of computerisation meant more varied and commercial work and a better quality paper |
46:50 | Discusses how customer and community relations and the use of up to date equipment were the main reasons that contributed to the success of the paper The Age also participated in community events and supported the town’s fundraising activities. |
48:50 | Bill left The Age in 1997 after Rural Press purchased the paper |
49:50 | Prior to Rural Press purchasing the paper, circulation was 5,500, now 2,500. Describes how circulation is determined The Age was previously a member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation, with sales mainly through paperboys, subscribers and a mail out list of 1,000 Gives his views about why production has returned to one edition per week, the drop in circulation and the reasons why it may not improve |
52:50 | Provides detailed description of how the Printing Museum was established, its premises and how it is staffed |
53:50 | Lists the equipment housed at the Museum and says more is elsewhere waiting for larger premises to be found Machines housed at the Museum date from the 1880-1900s up to about 1965 Talks about how donations of machines are sourced and received |
59:00 | Talks about how The Age assisted in printing other regional newspapers owned by Jim Woods, and assisting during times of strikes or when break downs occurred. Details how the content of these regional papers was delivered to Queanbeyan Explains camera ready art |
1:00:00 | End |
Interviewed 26 May 2012.
Time | Subject |
00:25 | December 1965 joined the Queanbeyan Age after seeing ad in local paper for apprentice printer. |
1:00 | Five year apprenticeship which included attending Technical College in Canberra in addition to on-the-job training. Describes how his training differed from the Government Printing Office |
2:15 | How he learnt to do specific jobs. Family atmosphere and mentored by people on the job. Recounts Jim Woods experiences of being mentored. |
3:30 | Describes his day as an apprentice at the newspaper office . Hand and machine compositor on Linotype/Ludlow/printing – what that involved. Moved to Linotype after four years. |
4:50 | Explains how a Linotype machine worked.. Required skills were handyman, operator and scholar |
7:15 | The Age was a local business and a personal paper. Local staff and personal local knowledge very important |
9:00 | Talks about colourful characters on the staff and special mentors (Jim Buckley and Bill Johnson).. Story about a table used by Jim Buckley |
10:45 | Speaks in detail about the family-run style of management and personal assistance encouraged staff to become long term employees. Tempted to join The Canberra Times for more money and better facilities but preferred benefits of The Age family style business |
14:45 | Outlines improvements to equipment . Explains how the hot metal press worked and associated health problems for operators. The Age a leader in the industry in country NSW by using the most updated equipment. Describes Jim Woods’ method of purchasing equipment |
16:45 | Describes the types of equipment he used . Hand composing and the Linotype and how that worked. Describes his experiences in operating the Ludlow and how that worked. Offset system of printing – the American News King and colour introduced . As units were added, still setting on the old Linotype equipment . Introduction to computerisation and explains punch tape |
19:45 | Details introduction to computerisation in the 1980’s and 1990’s |
22:00 | Talks about the improvements to equipment after that which included general updates to programs, storage, colour |
24:15 | Describes how the paper looked in the later stages of his career. Tells story about a reader’s comments about the paper’s smaller size. Outlines changes following introduction of the internet and sale to Rural Press . Discusses other reasons why circulation decreased |
30:15 | Some interesting stories printed that maybe should not have been . Story about his mistake on the Linotype and an angry Local Member . Story about apprentice being rejected for employment and becoming apprentice of the year elsewhere. Explained Jim Woods’ unique way of choosing apprentices |
35:30 | Provides detail about Jim Woods’ unique management style based on his own experience as an apprentice – he knew the business from the ground up. Talks about the Age’s reputation as a leader in country NSW. Talks about success stories of apprentices who came to The Age for experience and went on to succeed in careers elsewhere. Describes the family atmosphere of the business and camaraderie of staff |
39:30 | Discusses incidents where strikes delayed the paper and how staff worked together to get the paper out on time |
41:15 | The most significant change over the years was from hot metal to computers . Tells how staff adapted and the extent to which their jobs changed |
43:15 | Memorable occasions provide special news and the paper also contributes to country events in the area. The Age is the 7th oldest paper being produced in NSW. The Age celebrated 100th anniversary in 1960 and received letter from the Queen |
44:30 | Describes how the concept of the Printing Museum came about and its inception. Talks about how premises were found, adapted and funded. Outlines the experience visitors receive at the Museum and talks about the volunteers who run the Museum |
48:15 | The machines that are housed in the Museum include a very early press similar to the one used by John Gale called the Alexandra. Tells the story about how the Alexandra got its name. Talks about a small pedal machine . The most modern machine is circa 1960 |
55:00 | The one thing that contributed to the success of The Age during his career was local news, local interest. Expects The Age will continue as it has 150 years of experience behind it |
56:15 | Final comments |
Interviewed Wednesday 16 May 2012
Time | Subject |
Disk 1 of 2 | |
00:00 | Introduction |
00:50 | Recounts a brief history of the late John Gale who produced the first issue of the Queanbeyan Age on 15 September 1860 John Gale is considered by history as being responsible for the siting of Canberra near Queanbeyan instead of Dalgety NSW as originally proposed |
4:50 | Tells the story of how the Queanbeyan Age operated under John Gale’s family Details the events leading up to his purchase of The Age in 1956 and tells how he ran the paper from Crookwell until 1958 when made the decision to move his family to Queanbeyan |
9:00 | When Jim took over the business, it was run down, there was no staff morale and the buildings were antiquated He moved premises and built several extensions later on Jim bought the business with five staff including a managing editor so Jim decided to bring his two sons into the business as well as a new Linotype operator, Jim Buckley, who was also a competent journalist and who stayed until the business was sold to Rural Press |
14:00 | When Jim Woods took over the business the plant and equipment was inadequate, circulation was 1,300 so he cancelled free subscriptions being given to 200 business owners, not a popular decision then |
14:50 | Describes the kinds of stories the paper began to print regularly, local news Jim’s philosophy was to give the people the news they wanted This was different from how the paper was filled when he bought the business |
16:00 | Describes how a paper is funded mainly through advertisements but when he purchased the business no one was sourcing this kind of revenue Jim’s son Bob began to source advertisements, wrote the ads and took the photos for the paper Describes how he also funded one staff member’s wages from a new kind of advertising idea which proved to be very popular |
17:50 | Talks about how the paper was improving and circulation increasing Says it takes ten years to build a paper up and get regular subscribers. |
18:00 | Jim Woods held the position of Managing Editor for 15 years Frank Nash, a trained journalist joined and covered sports issues and also specifically covered council events which became a major feature of the paper Local news about weddings, birthdays and obituaries were also popular features |
19:00 | As circulation increased to tri-weekly, Jim employed paper boys to deliver the paper He had 42 paper boys when the business was sold to Rural Press Talks about the paper boys and describes how their delivery system worked Hired apprentices; keen to encourage them as he had been one himself |
21:50 | Says that the equipment he inherited when he bought the business (now on display in the Printing Museum) was very basic Describes the equipment and tells a story about the Wharfedale |
24:50 | Describes how he went about improving the equipment Advertising grew and circulation increased |
25:00 | Talks about two good Linotype operators – explains how they worked Explains how the hot metal worked in the old days Says he is probably the only man alive who has experience in hand setting, hot metal and computerisation |
26:50 | The paper is going along nicely, increased number of staff and doing more commercial work Explains how people were encouraged to bring in copy which he would rewrite if necessary Compares the Canberra Times to the Age in terms of local content printed |
28:00 | Talks about the press that he inherited from the Canberra Times – the American Battle Creek Duplex This press radically improved the production of work and he tells a story about this press after it went out of production at the Age |
28:50 | Describes how he had an arrangement with Mr Shakespeare who owned the Canberra Times that the Times would not intrude into local Queanbeyan news but when the Times was sold to Fairfax, they introduced a free paper into Queanbeyan in competition with the Age |
30:00 | Tells story about his meeting with the General Manager of Fairfax in Sydney to discuss the free paper and the subsequent offer of funding and advice to ‘tool up’ and compete against the Times |
33:00 | Old machinery had become redundant so Jim ordered three new offset units Tells story about how he liaised with The Australian to deliver the Age to the south coast When they went to Offset the Battle Creek machine went to the Eden paper |
38:00 | Recounts an interesting story of how the paper content was sent to be printed at the Age via Cooma |
39:00 | Says that he continued using hot metal and eased into Offset, which was a key point in changing the technology of how the paper was printed Staff had to learn new skills Explains he did not operate the machinery but knew how it worked |
42:00 | Other papers sent staff to the Age to see how it worked Says that although it was easy to adapt to these changes, breakdowns caused delays and the only person who could repair the machinery was the local Citroen motor mechanic Always had a spare machine to cover breakdowns |
44:00 | Explains how the new machinery improved circulation Jim was a long term Member of NSW Country Press Participated in the Audit Bureau of Circulation and considered taking the paper to five times a week |
47:00 | Computerisation introduced early 1980s which changed the look of the paper again and required staff to further adapt The hot metal press was obsolete and is now stored in the Printing Museum Talks briefly about the Printing Museum Talks about a printer in Perth wanting him to set some lines and a visit from a UK printer encouraged to keep the old machines |
51:00 | End of Disk 1 |
Disk 2 of 2 | |
0:00 | Jim explains that even with his wide technical knowledge he did not participate in the actual printing process but kept tight control. |
0:50 | Talks about how he selected his apprentices and encouraged his staff to mentor them and tells stories of some of his apprentices working throughout the world Recounts how different this was from his apprenticeship Talks about how he started n the business and his parents initial opposition because of the health risks associated with printing at that time Tells how he overcame this obstacle and then how, after his indenture, the Linotype was introduced and the health risks dissipated |
7:50 | Explains his daily tasks as an apprentice and talks about the fact that he had no mentors Took a correspondence course through Technical College in Sydney and explains his teacher’s dedication in helping him by post Studied in his own time, bought his own materials, but was allowed to practice on the machines at work |
9:00 | Also had a dance band and was a footballer, hockey player, cricketer, tennis player and was Secretary of the local Church, all whilst apprenticed and whilst studying his course through Tech Once he had passed the course he knew more about the business than the other staff Was not paid much |
11:50 | Recounts that as the war started he enlisted but his boss didn’t want him to go because he was the only one out of three staff left, the rest had been called up The local Member of Parliament arranged for him to remain at home as he was needed to set up the papers |
13:50 | Explains that in the meantime, his social activities provided him with a lot of valuable and newsworthy local knowledge When the other staff returned from the war he became journalist for 3 years Says he has done composing, proof reading, journalism and has been a machinist – he knew the whole process – very valuable skills as it was difficult to get staff after the War and he knew how to Linotype so carried the load |
14:50 | Recounts how he thought about buying a corner store but his boss at Temora offered to purchase a newspaper in partnership Talks about the process at the time of buying a newspaper Tells the story of how they purchased Crookwell Gazette which was so run down he had to work 50-60 hourts a week |
16:50 | Describes the role of his family in the Queanbeyan Age business and how he managed the difference between family and staff |
18:00 | Describes how he set up a ‘superannuation’ scheme for his staff and retained very loyal staff for many years, but the Unions objected |
21:00 | Explains how he acquired Decentralisation (NSW Housing Commission) homes which enabled him to advertise some jobs with accommodation and rented the homes to staff who subsequently remained loyal to him for over 30 years Says how he later backed the staff at the bank as guarantor to enable them to purchase their own homes |
22:00 | Gives a description of how he started each working day talking to his staff and had a had close relationship with them all He also knew when machines were not printing, whether they were broken or staff simply not working and describes how he would help out as a hands on manager |
24:00 | Talks about the kinds of stories the paper printed Says they covered everything that went on in the town Mentions how he liaised with his Editor, Barry Gilman |
26:00 | Describes his philosophy about the content he provided to his readers The Age reflected public opinion and was essentially the town’s ‘conscience’ Contributed as much as the Council to local issues and says he refused offers to sit on the council several times due to a potential conflict of interest The paper assisted clubs, schools, societies and therefore made close contacts which were good for business |
29:00 | Says he worried a few times about printing stories which may have been considered slanderous but sought legal advice and was never sued Described a few instances where he reported court cases or news about gambling dens and prostitutes Realises he offended a few people in the course of his work but considered that just part of running a successful newspaper |
32:00 | Described how, towards the end of his career the look of the paper had changed from a broadsheet with the first press to tabloid with Offset Recounts how computerisation brought another big change which enabled the business to grow further |
34:00 | Says that it takes ten years – including increasing the circulation – from you purchase a paper to bring it to a successful standard (Sound of next door neighbour lawn mowing for about next 10 mins – through closed doors & windows) Says he bought the three worst papers in NSW and had a reputation as the ‘fix it man’ His most significant contribution therefore was to improve the Queanbeyan Age with better staff and better machinery and that when the paper was sold he had 32 staff doing 13 different papers. |
35:50 | Recounts in some detail the circumstances under which he sold the Age especially with 3 generations of the family working in the business |
42:00 | Says he has had 66 years working in the newspaper business and is now 98 years old (Lawn mower starts up again next door) Talks about the importance of the support from his wife throughout his career |
45:00 | Recounts a day in the life of Jim Woods, how his day started, progressed and ended. Talks about how the paperboys did the deliveries and how the deliveries to Canberra were dropped at the airport for delivery with the Sydney papers |
52:00 | Close |
Interviewed 1 August 2012
Time | Subject |
Disk 1 of 2 | |
00:40 | Introduction: Kevin commenced his printing apprenticeship in New Zealand in 1970 with the Northern Advocate, a family-owned, regional newspaper. He was instrumental in implementing computer type setting to the Cairns Post Newspaper, which was the first paper to become computerised and phase out heavy metal and linotype machines. |
00:49 | Explains that in the first stage of his apprenticeship, his principal activities were to prepare for proof reading, the type set by the senior apprentices; to complete exercises for transitioning onto the linotype casting machines; to undertake an annual training course in the linotype casting machines and to practise the basics on a simple typesetting machine doing corrections & minimal changes for other people. |
02:10 | Describes how he learnt to operate the machines by taking home a dummy keyboard from a Linotype type caster to practise typing skills and word patterns; talks about the differences between the Linotype keyboard and the Quirty keyboard; says that skills were learnt through tech courses off site rather than coaching. |
04:00 | Talks about how he moved through his apprenticeship to become a tradesman. |
05:10 | Gives an account of the technical process by which the newspaper moved to computerisation from the lead based system. |
08:20 | Describes the technical and on-the-job aspects of how he learnt to operate the new computerised equipment. |
09:35 | Talks about how the newspaper was extremely progressive for its time in using the new technology to set up artwork, in using full colour printing and in using a teleprinter to scoop stories before its competitors. |
11:50 | Says that one of the owner’s sons travelled to America to learn how to separate printing colours using photographic filters to produce the full colour newspaper. Describes how the son would use these techniques in printing the newspaper at night in order to keep them secret. |
13:00 | Explains that the newspaper was working at the forefront of technology and after resisting offers to purchase for many years, was eventually sold to New Zealand’s largest newspaper groups. |
14:10 | Commenced work with another newspaper in Palmerston North when his family moved away. Describes how he worked in display advertising which meant new challenges in returning to the use of old, but different, basic technology such as the Fairchild mechanical keyboard and the PDP8E digital computer. |
Disk 2 of 2 | |
00:00 | Kevin describes how he taught the staff the new computerised technology and talks about some of the problems they encountered. |
01:20 | Talks about difficulties and misgivings encountered in retraining staff in the transition from using 90 key keyboards to the Quirty keyboards. Tells a funny story about how he faked test results for one of the display advertising operators who was in danger of losing his job unless he passed the test. |
04:20 | Says that the computer supply company had never worked with newspapers so having Kevin on board with his previous experience was essential to the success of the transition. Talks about his contribution to the transition in making the transition seamless and the system work successfully. |
05:50 | Worked at the Cairns Post between 1976-1980. Talks about how the system was ‘bedded’ down during that period and the circumstances that led to him leaving to work for the Northern Daily newspaper in Tamworth. |
08:55 | Recounts some amusing stories about mischievous incidents concerning staff and apprentices - and about using the new computerised technology - in producing the paper during his employment at the Cairns Post. |
16:00 | Talks about his involvement in motor sport whilst working in New Zealand as an apprentice and because of his mechanical ability was asked to strip down and recondition, within a week, one of the Linotype type casters. Didn’t realise that management had bigger plans for him in a production management role which, had he known of this, would have sent his life in another direction. |
18:35 | Recounts more amusing stories about incidents concerning staff during his employment at the Cairns Post. |
20:10 | Talks about how he came to volunteer at, and his current involvement in, the Queanbeyan Printing Museum. Has become proficient in running the old machinery in the Museum and is able to show the technology in detail to visitors. |
23:50 | Gives a very detailed explanation of the machines housed in the Museum, how they work and some of the history surrounding their invention and how they compare with the technology used today. |
33:40 | Closes by explaining issues surrounding the low ‘care factor’ in the interaction of staff at the Cairns Post during his time there and recounts more amusing stories. |
39:24 | End of Disk 2 |